Tank closure



061:. 4, 1932. A, R, FERGUSSON 1,880,424

TANK CLOSURE Filed April 25, 1931l Patented Oct. 4, 1932 Unire-n STATESPArsfNr istie1L ALAN R. FERGUSS'ON,

OF NEW YORK,- N.- Y.

TANK' cLos'iR'E' Application ineaV April` 25,'

Thisl invention` relates toi tank closures in general,but in somerespects is more particularly Concerned with caps or closures of thetypesrequired for automobile gasoline tanks and radiators.

For gasoline tanks, radiators andthe like,

itis desirable thatfth'e'cap-or closure be of such anature that it maybeV quickly openedv and closed,that it be mounted in such' a way as toprevent its becoming completely detached and' lost, that it iittightlyand securely and thatA it beef neat andmore or less ornamentalappearance. f

Specialobjects of the present invention are to attain the effectsmentioned in a practical economical way, suited to present day tankconstructions.

The various novel features of thev invention, new combinations andarrangements of `parts by which suchobj ects are accomplished are setforth in the following speciiication, illustrated in the accompanying'drawing and covered in the claims broadly delining the p invention.

The drawing which accompanies and may be considered as formingv part ofthe specilication, illustrates a. few of the many possiblel embodimentsof the invention, it being understood that the structure may be modifiedas 4regards these particular disclosures without departure from the truespirit and broad scope of the invention.

Fig. 1 is abroken plan view of a form of the invention as constructedfor application to l gasoline tanks of typical or usual-form; Fig.

Y 2 is a broken sectional view as taken on substantially the plane ofline 2*-2 of Fig. l, il-

lustrating particularly the fastening of the Inthe.structuresillustrated5-the closure is 19311 Serial'No. 532,7'382`madeupas aunit applicable as such` to ex vistingl tai'ikspout/s'.` Thisuniti consists of anannular base ring or collar which can bel lockeddow'i'iover the neck of the filling spout and a cap hingedly mounted onthis basering.

Aslshownmore clearly in F igsaQ'and 4, the I mounting ring or collar 75is hollow at the underside to receive and'fit down tightly over theinwardly curled endflangeiSo the filling spout.- This flange, in presentday construc-l tions,` is notched at diametrically oppositeA points at9, to receive the securing lugs of a` detachable tank cap and, extendingfromy such notchedt portions, is providedl with in-v cline'd edges 10,acting as cams, whensucha cap is turned to draw it down intox firmlyclosediposition.- These special features of the' tank spout areutiliz-ed for Vfastening the mounting ring' of the present tank closurein place. 'Y

Referring' `again particularly` to Figs. 2' and 4', it willbeseen thatthe mounting ring is provided at diametrically opposite points withdownwardly extended and outwardly turned lugs or'hooks 11, which willpass down throughthefnotches 9'atthe end of the filling spout and catchbeneath the cam edges l0 as the ring is placedfdown over and then turnedon the end of the spout. This cam action draws the ringA solidly down`into engagement over .the end ofv the spout and the ring is then lockedin this iirmly seatedv relation by bending' one o r more lockinglugs 12at the insideof the ring outwardly from the position shown in Fig'.v 4Ltothe position indicat'edin Figs. l, 2 and 3, so as to standinthenotches 9i or to interlock' beneaththe downturned flange'in` whichsuc-h notches are formed'. If, after the mounting ring'is tightened downover the' tank spout, the locking lugs regis'ter'witlithesenotches,asvin the case illustrated,1 tlieslu'gs may then be simply bent down, soas'to stand in: these notches which I will thenl prevent the ringfrom'being turned sufficiently toenable its removal from the tank spout.Ori-the other hand, if the locking lugsfarenot in register-withfthenotches when the'ring is seated onfthe'tank spout, thenthey need only bebent outward to catch under fifi portions of the cam flange. In eitherevent, the mounting ring is locked down over the tank spout and cannotbe removed, except possibly by the use of special tools designed tooperate on the locking lugs. Thus casual removal of the cap mount isprevented, but if necessary, a mechanic properly equipped with tools andknowing the structure, may effect removal of the device. As particularlyshown in Fig. 4, the locking lugs may be angled as illustrated at 13, sothatdownward and outward force of the same will have the eiiect ofthrowing these angled portions outward as hooks to interlock witheitherthe .notched or solid portions of the cam flange.' Stop shoulders,such as indicated at 14 are usually provided at the ends of the camportions adj .a-v cent the notches and these further aid 1n preventingany unintended rotation and detachment of the mounting ring.

The top or cap member is designated 15 and is shown as constructed ofspring sheet metal, of generally ornamental appearance and asl havingpartially severed dependent spring fingers 16 about the rim of the samebent inwardly sufhciently to operate as. claws -gripping under therounded rim portion 17.

of the base ring. At one side of the rim the cap member is shown ashavinga dependent hood portion 18 serving as a housing over asimilarproj ection 19 of the base ring, a pivot pin 2O extended throughthe dependent edges of such projecting portions serv-es to pivotallyconnect the cap with' the base, ring and a coiled spring 21 positionedon this pivot pin in protected relation under the hood or guard 19,serves to snap the cover open when the holding grip of the spring clawsis overcome.

The spring grip of the cover maybe released in various ways. By way ofexample, there is shown in Figs. 1 to 4 a small T- shaped lever 22,pivoted at 23, on a dependent lug portion 24 of the mounting ring,

j diametrically opposite the hinge, with the head 25 of this T-shapedmember positioned to engagea dependent cam shaped lip 25', Fig. 4, onthe cover. When rocked in either direction, the head of this T-shapedlever, acting against the cam projection of the cover will force thecover open suiiiciently to break the grip of the spring fingers,enabling the hinge spring to snap the cover open. As the cover is forcedclosed, the cam projection on the `same will engage the head of the Tlever, rocking the same back into the intermediate position illustrated,where `it is held against rattling, in position tooperate wheneverrequired to release the cover. If desired, the cover may be releaseddirectly by a handle lever extension, such as shown at 26 in Fig. 5,'projecting from the side opposite the hinge. This lever handle may be apart of or be separately attached to the top of the coveras will beevident.

Y extent to provide of itself the leverage necessary for releasing thespring holding fingers, and may in addition, be provided with a fingergrip extension 29, indicating the portion opposite the hinge to beengaged in effecting the `release of the cap.

V`Aswill be 'plain particularly from Fig. 4, the 4deviceinay be made upas a complete replacement unit to be .substituted for tank caps nowinuse. This unit is quickly Vapplied by simply placing iton the tank spoutafter the manner of the original tank cap and then turning vdown thelocking fingers to secure it asa permanent rpart of the tank spout. Thespring fingers hold the cap tightly and firmly closed, preventingobjectionable rattle Y or loss of tank contents. At the same time, thecover is quickly and easily released by a simple one way lever actionand may be secured. by a direct closing movement. The interlocking camkaction between the mounting ring andtank spoutv is usually suflicientto insure a tight joint between these/parts, but if found desirable, asuitable gasket may be interposed between the end of the tank spout andthe overstanding portion of the mounting ring. Also, a gasket may beused between the adjoining faces of the cap and mounting ring. Such agasket is illustrated at 30, held to thel underside yof the cap by awasher 31 secured by a rivet 32, said washer and the centralportion ofthe cap being illustrated as having small non-registering vents 33, 34,in the annularly ridged portions 35, 3G, of the same.

Vhile it will be clear that vthe invention is especially adaptable toautomobile gasoline tanks, it should also be clear that the same may beadapted to and-utilized for the closure ofradiator spouts and in fact,as a desirable cover for many otherforms of tanks and containers.

VIn view of the broad utility and general scope of the invention, theterms employed herein should be considered in a descriptive rather thanin a limiting sense, except possibly for such limitations as vmay beimposed 'a series' extending about the vperiphery of the lcap fromsaid'pivotal point and engageable with the base ring to peripherallyyieldingly secure saidfcap in cooperating closed engagement with thebase ring. c

2. A tank closure, comprising a base ring provided with means forsecuring the same on the neck of-a tank filling spout, a cap pivoted atone side to said base ring and having dependent spring fingers arrangedas a series extending about the periphery of the `cap from said pivotalpoint and engageable with the base ring to peripherally yieldinglysecure said cap in cooperating closed engagement with the base ring anda spring for throwing the cap open when the grip of said spring holdingfingers is released.

3. A tank closure, comprising a base ring provided with means forsecuring the same on the neck of a tank lling spout, a cap pivot/ed atone side to said base ring and having dependent spring lingers arrangedas a series extending about the periphery yof the cap from said pivotalpoint and engageable with the base ring to peripherally yieldin'glysecure said cap in cooperating closed engagement with the base,A ring,means for overcoming the grip of the spring holding lingers and a springfor automatically throwing the cover to open position when the grip ofthe spring holding fingers is overcome.

4. A tank closure, comprising a base ring provided with means forsecuring the same on the neckpof a tank filling spout, a cap pivoted onsaid base lring and having de pendent spring fingers engageable with thebase ring to yieldingly'secure said cap in cooperating closed engagementwith the base v ring and cam means for forcing the cover open inopposition to the grip of the spring holding fingers.

5. A tank closure, comprising a base ring provided with means forsecuring the same on the neck of a tank filling spout, a cap pivoted onsaid base ring and having dependent spring fingers engageable with thebase ring to yieldinglyvsecure said cap in cooperating closed engagementwith the hase ring and a substantially T-shaped cover opening leverpivoted on the holding ring and engaging the rim of the cover at a pointsubstantially diametrieally opposite the pivotal mounting 6. Incombination, a base ring hollowed in its underside to fit over theiilling spout ci a tank and constructed for interlocking engagement withsuch a spout, a cap having spring gripping fingers for vsecuring thesame yieldingly closed over the base ring, a

hinging connection between the cap and base ring and handle means forreleasing the closing grip of the cap on lthe base ring.

7. In combination, a base ring hollowed -in its underside to iit overthe lilling spout of a tank and constructed for interlocking engagementvwith such a spout, a cap having snriner Uri -Y in :lingers forsecurinfr'the same Y b 2D b C vield-ingly closed over the base ring,ahing- 8.In combination with a-tankspouthavhaving a securing element topass the notched v c portion and interlock with the flange of the spout,a closure cap pivoted on said mounting ring and provided with a seriesof spring fingers about the periphery of the cap for yieldingly grippingthe same to the mountlng llngv 9. In combination with a tank spouthaving a notched iiange, a mounting` ring for cooperative engagementwith the` spout and y having a securing element to passthe notchedportion and interlock with theflange of the spout, a closure cap pivotedon said mounting ring ,and locking means on said mounting ring inaddition to said securing element,said locking, means standingin thenotch of the spoutflange and cooperatingwith the flange at yone side of.said notch to prevent detach.-

ment of the mounting ring from the spout.

l0. A closure of the character disclosed,

comprising a mountingring applicable to the filling spout of a tank, aspring closed cap pivoted on said mounting ring, an orna1nental coverlattached to said cap and projecting beyond the rim of the cap to aordsuiicient leverage for overcoming the spring closing force. l Y f s l1.A closure of the character'disclosed, comprising in combination amounting rin-g of inverted U-shaped cross-section to lit over the rim ofa filling spout and to provide a lip for the same, a cap hinged to saidmountin ring and engageable with the lip portion o said mounting ringand a dependent spring finger on the cap yieidingly engaging down overthe outer portion of' the mounting ring for yieldingly retaining the capin closed relation. Y

12. A closure vci. the'character disclosed, comprising in combination, ahollow mounting ring ltofit over the rim of a tank spout and to providea lip for the sameysaid mounting ring Vhaving at the inside of the same,dependent means lfor securingsaid ring to the tank spout andhaving atthe outside of l thesame a rounded rim portion, a cap in close fittingengagement over said'hollow mounting ringsaid cap having a series ofdependent spring fingers about the periphery of the same, bowed toresiliently engage down over the rounded rimportion of the mounting ringand handle means associated with said cap for overcoming theholding'force of the series of spring gripping fingers.

13. A closure of the character disclosed, comprising in combination, -ahollow -m'oiint-` ing ring to fit over the rim of a Atank spout and toprovide a lip forthe same, said mounting ring having at the inside ofthesame, dependent means for securing said ring to the tank spout andhaving at theoutside of thesame a rounded rim portion, a cap in closefitting engagement over said hollow mounted ring, said cap' having aseries ofV dependent spring fingers about the periphery of the same,bowed to resiliently engage down over the rounded rim portion of themounting ring and handle means associated with said cap forovercomingthe" holding force of the series of spring gripping fingers,the cap having a hinge connection `with the mounting ring at one sideand said handle means being located substantially diametrically oppositesaid'hing'e connection.

14. 'A closure of the character disclosed, comprising in combination,a-hollow mounting ring to fit over the rim of a tank spout and toprovide a lip for the same, said mounting ring having at the inside ofthe same, dependent means for securing said ring to the tank spout andhaving at the outside of the same a rounded rim portion, a cap in closetting engagement over said hollow mounted ring, said cap having a seriesof dependent spring lingers about the periphery of the same, bowed toresiliently engage down over the rounded rim portion of the mountingring and handle means associated with said cap for overcoming theholding force of the series of spring gripping fingers, said securingmeans at the inside of the mounting ring including dependent hook lugsand a dependent locking lug and a tank spout having an inclined flangestructure inside the same for engagement by said hook lugs, said flangestructure having a locking shoulder positioned for engagement by thelocking lug when the mounting ring is located on 'the spout with thehook lugs properly engaged with the inclined'iiange.

15. In combination with a tank spout having an inwardly extending anddownwardly projecting flange notched through at the top and having lowerinclined cam edges, a mounting ring engageable over lsaid tank spout andhaving at the inside of the same dependent hook lugs to pass throughlnotched` portions of theiange and interlock beneath the inclined flangeedges upon rotative movement of the mounting ring on the spout, a stoplug at the insideV of the mounting ring and engageable in a notchedportion of the flange at the end of such rotative movement to therebylock the mounting ring in such positionl upon the tank spout, a caphinged upon the mounting ring and readily releasable means for securelyholding said hinged cap in close fitting engagement with saidmountingring'.

16. In combinationwith a tank spout havingan inwardly extending anddownwardly projecting flange notched through at the top and having lowerinclined vcamv edges, a' i mounting ring engageable over said tank spoutand having at theinsideof the same dependenthook lugs to pass throughnotched portions of the flange and interlock beneath the inclined flangeedges upon-rotative movement of the mounting ring on the spout, a stoplug at the inside of the mounting; ring and engageable in a notchedportion of the flange at the end of such rotative movement to therebylock the mounting ring'in such position upon the tank spout, a caphinged upon the mounting ring, a series of spring ngers dependentfromthe peripheralportion of the ca p and resiliently gripping down overthe'outer -portionfof said mounting lring and means associated with saidcap for overcoming the gripping force of said series of Y spring holdingfingers.) y f 17. In'combination, Va hollow mounting Lring forlengagement over the mouth of a tank spout, said mounting ring having aprojecting hood at one side, a cap having hinge lugsV aligned with thesides of said projecting hood, a pivot pin extending through said pivotlugs and the sides of the hood, spring means for yieldingly' securingthe .cover closed against the mounting ring and a cover opening springbeneath the hood` of the mounting ring and protected by said hood whenthe cover is thrown open by said spring.

18. In a tank closure, the combination of an annular member havingf atthe outside a rounded rim portion, afcap hingedly connected with saidmember at one side and having a projecting handle at the opposite ing aninternal flange notched downwardly Y through the top of the same andhaving inclined lower edge portions, a capmounting ring seated on saidspout, said ring having hook .lugs to pass down through notches in theflange and engage beneath said inclined edge portions yon rotation-ofthering .on the` lspout and a locking lug or lugs to pass down over theflange and bendable into one or more of said notches to lock the ring inthe position-to which it has been rotated, a cap and means forreleasably holding said cap seated on said mounting rino. n

20. In combination with a tank spout having an internal flange notcheddownwardly' through the wtop of the same `and having incline'd loweredge Cportions, a cap mounting opening therein laterally oi'set from theY ring seated on sai spout, said ring having downwardly ridged vent inthe gasket securhook lugs to pass down through notches in ing. washer.

the flange and engage beneath said inclined edge portions on rotation ofthe ring on the f spout and a locking lug or lugs to pass down over theange and bendable into one or more of said notches to lock the ring inthe position to which it has been rotated, a cap and means forreleasab'ly holding said cap seated on said mounting ring, includingspring holding fingers dependent from the peripheral portion of the capand bowed to grip down over and about the peripheral portion of themounting ring.

21. In combination with a tank spout having an internal flange notcheddownwardly through the top of the same and having inclined lower edgeportions, a cap mounting ring seated on said spout, said ring havinghook lugs to pass down through notches in the flange and engage beneathsaid inclined edge portions on rotation of the ring on the spout and alocking lug or lugs to pass down over the flange and bendable into oneor more of said notches to lock the ring in the position to which it hasbeen rotated, a cap and means y for releasably holding said cap seatedon said mounting ring, including spring holding lingers dependent fromthe peripheral portion of the cap and bowed to grip down over and aboutthe peripheral portion 01E the mounting ring, said cap having a hingingconnection with the mounting ring, handle means Jfor overcoming the capclosing force of the spring ngers and spring means carried by themounting ring for throwing the cap open when so released by the handlemeans.

22. A closure of the character disclosed, comprising in combination, abase ring, a cap yieldingly held closed to said base ring, an annulargasket within the cap Jfor sealing engagement with the hase ring, awasher secured to the underside of the cap in position overlapping theinner edge of the annular. gasket and thereby securing the gasket to theunderside of the cap, said washer having a downwardly directed annularlyridged portion with a vent opening therein and the cap having anupwardly extending annularly ridged portion provided with a vent openingoset from the vent opening in the downwardly ridged portion of thewasher.

23. A closure of the character disclosed, comprising in combination, abase ring, a cap yieldingly held closed to said base ring, an annulargasket within the cap for sealing engagement with the base ring, awasher secured to the underside of the cap in position overlapping theinner edge of the annular gasket and thereby securing said gasket to theunderside of the cap, said washer hav# ing a downwardly ridged portionwith a vent opening therein and the cap having a vent

